Access Holdings Gets Regulatory Approval to Buy Angolan Bank

Access Holdings Plc has announced that its flagship subsidiary, Access Bank Plc has received regulatory approval from the Central Bank of Angola: Banco Nacional de Angola for the acquisition of majority equity stake in Finibanco Angola S.A.

This is further to its announcement on October 4, 2022, on the above subject.

A statement issued by Access Holdings’ Company Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, said the Central Bank of Nigeria had previously granted its approval to the transaction and that the bank expected to receive the approval of the Angolan Competition Authority in the coming days, which would complete the requirements for regulatory approvals for the transaction, enabling the bank to initiate completion of other customary conditions precedents to close the transaction.

The statement said the bank had also signed agreements with minority shareholders of Finibanco Angola S.A. who had expressed an interest to sell their shares concurrently and targeted to attain a total shareholding above 80% in Finibanco Angola S.A. at the completion of the Transaction.

Commenting on the recent development, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, Group Chief Executive Officer, Access Holdings said: “We are pleased to be well-positioned to join the select league of banks providing high value financial services to high-growth businesses and the rising consumer sector in Angola.

“The Bank brings a lot of value-add and expertise that will act a positive catalyst to foster greater innovation and promote the deepening of the financial sector in Angola, while complementing our strategic growth objectives in the broader SADC region,” he said.

May 04, 2023